Russian Tourist Climbs Brooklyn Bridge

Published at17:17, Aug 25 2014

NEW YORK — A Russian tourist accused of climbing to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge is facing reckless endangerment and trespass charges. The episode marks the second security breach at the span in a month.

Yaroslav Kolchin is being held on $5,000 bond after his arraignment Aug. 25 in Brooklyn.

Police and prosecutors say they spotted the 24-year-old ascending a cable beam at about 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 24. Authorities say the Moscow man reached the top of the tower, took pictures and was arrested as he descended.

A court complaint says he told police he did it for fun.

Defense lawyer Paul Liu says Kolchin works in advertising and was visiting New York with a Russian tour group. On July 22, two American flags were swiped from the bridge and replaced with white ones.